Mark your calendar for a weekend filled with the creative pageantry of 250 artists, community performances, epicurean delights, and of course . . . apples!
Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero; EAFocus Communications; 248.260.8466; barbara@eafocus.com; Shaun Hayes, Executive Director, Paint Creek Center for the Arts; 248.651.4110; shaun@pccart.org
Rochester, Mich.—August 15, 2024—The first Friday after Labor Day traditionally kicks off the Paint Creek Center for the Arts’ annual Art & Apples Festival®, and the nonprofit community arts organization is excited to announce that it will continue the celebration in 2024. The festival’s return will take place September 6–8 at the sprawling Rochester Municipal Park, near downtown Rochester, with a juried group of 250 skilled artists and artisans headlining the three-day jubilee and an anticipated 70,000 art aficionados in attendance.
According to PCCA Executive Director Shaun Hayes, the overall quality of the Art & Apples Festival—presented through the generous support of Genisys Credit Union—not only continues to be a draw for artists but also Michigan art lovers and community members who enjoy this beloved annual tradition—and now an up-and-coming generation who will appreciate this year’s heightened festival offerings.
“This year promises to bring an infusion of creative energy with many newcomers as well as returning artistic veterans showcasing and selling their inspired works,” Hayes said. “Along with an abundance of cuisine appealing to all tastes—including five new food vendors—new kids’ art and play activities, new performers taking to the stage, and even more apples, this year’s 58th annual event will have something for everyone, which differentiates us from other traditional art fairs.”
Hayes noted that a record-breaking number of artist applications came in for this year’s show—444 compared to last year’s 367—and 76 of those are first-time vendors.
“There has been such positive buzz surrounding the festival that artist demand has really heated up,” Hayes added. “Even though Art & Apples is a tradition, this is not the same show year after year, and more people than ever want to be a part of it.”
Taking center stage will be unique artwork, handmade keepsakes, and distinctive home goods available to purchase, sprinkled with live stage entertainment from community music and dance groups as well as local musicians; food trucks, tents, and restaurant pop-ups offering a wide array of tasty options; the Meijer Kids Art Zone offering children’s art activities; and the Creation Station sponsored by Premier Academy and featuring live art-making demonstrations, including Ervin Glassworks.
Updates to the 2024 Art & Apples Festival include:
- Refreshed Meijer Kids Art Zone will feature an updated galaxy theme with an art-creation focus on planet-making for a giant planetary wall display for the community; in addition, Oakland County Parks and Recreation will bring a new selection of recreational inflatables and oversized games, and there will be a balloon artist and henna tattoo station, among other fun activities for the younger set.
- New entertainment will take the stage.
- Five new food vendors will make their debut at the festival; additional food options will include vegan, vegetarian, and Indian fare.
- Emphasis on apples! Even more apple-related foods and beverage stands will be present throughout the park.
The free shuttle transportation to/from Rochester High School will be entirely provided by OPC Social & Activity Center’s transportation services with wheelchair lift-equipped buses for accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
PCCA is continually recognized for the caliber of fine art the organization presents to the community. In 2023 and 2024, the Art & Apples Festival landed on the Top 200 Fine Art and Design show listings by Sunshine Artist magazine for the previous year’s festival and was an HOUR Detroit Finalist for Best Art Fair. In addition, PCCA was named HOUR Detroit Magazine’s Best Art Gallery for 2023 and is a Best Art Gallery Finalist for 2024.
Art & Apples serves as the PCCA’s signature fundraiser to support the nonprofit organization’s art classes for kids and adults, free art exhibitions, the Art Market exclusively featuring local Michigan artists’ work, summer camps, and community outreach through its Art Anywhere program. A suggested $5 donation per person will be accepted at each of the festival’s entrances; in turn, PCCA shares a portion of these donations with the other area nonprofits and community ‘gate groups’ greeting festivalgoers.
Art & Apples will open on Friday, September 6 from 2 p.m.–7 p.m. in Rochester Municipal Park and continue on Saturday, September 7 from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday, September 8 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
If you would like to be a part of this community celebration of art, there are still a variety of sponsorship packages available. For more information, please visit the Art & Apples sponsorship page on the website, call PCCA at 248-651-4110, or email Shaun Hayes at Shaun@PCCArt.org.
About Paint Creek Center for the Arts
Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) is a regional nonprofit art center located in Downtown Rochester. PCCA is supported, in part, by contributions from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. PCCA’s overall mission is to support creativity by providing opportunities for all to learn, create, experience, and appreciate the arts. Learn more at pccart.org.
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